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2018 Merida

NINETY-SIX 800

A 29″ full suspension crosscountry bike with high-end components.
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Weight27.3 lbs  
SuspensionFull, 100mm front
ForkFox Performance Float 32
ShockFox
Wheels29″ Aluminum
Drivetrain1 × 12
GroupsetGX Eagle, Truvativ Stylo
BrakesShimano SLX Hydraulic Disc
Where to Buy
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Insights
Ride Feel

Based on frame geometry and build specs.

Terrain
easyextreme
Handling
nimblestable
NINETY-SIX 800
Other Crosscountry bikes
Gearing

A bike with lower gearing will be easier to ride up steep hills, while a higher top end means it will pedal faster down hills.

Lowest gear

(climbing)

28 mph

NINETY-SIX 800

27 mph

Similar Bikes

Highest gear

(descending)

Sizing
SM

5'2" – 5'8"

MD

5'6" – 5'11"

LG

5'10" – 6'3"

XL

6'1" – 6'7"

🐐 Estimated

Rider Fit Notes

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Reviews

Summary

The Merida Ninety-Six is a versatile cross-country bike praised for its efficient climbing, balanced suspension, and retro race handling. It offers a stiff, well-controlled ride with terrific acceleration punch, though some find its steering steep and twitchy. The bike's design and performance place it among top contenders in the pure race-bike category.

Pros
  • Light and stiff frame with sorted remote control suspension

  • Efficient climber with excellent body position for out of the saddle climbing

  • Balanced, effective suspension platform

  • Terrific acceleration punch

  • Good depth of control

Cons
  • Steep and twitchy steering

  • Single bottle cage mount

  • Cluttered handlebar region with remote lockout

  • Hard compound and non-tubeless tyres

  • Sluggish acceleration, high overall weight and flexible nature of wheels

Key Quotes
The latest version is still XC in character but it’s a much stiffer and more fundamentally sorted bike, so climbing speed no longer means rough-terrain terror.
BikeRadar logoBikeRadar
Cross country racer delight, a carbon 29er with great suspension and fast character.
Flow Mountain Bike logoFlow Mountain Bike
Billed as a top-flight XC bike the Ninety-Six delivers a ride quality that shouldn't let you down come race day.
MBR logoMBR

Feedback?

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MBR
Merida Ninety-Six 9.XT Review - MBR

Sep 2017 · James Bracey

As it's name implies, the Merida Ninety-Six 9.XT produces a whopping 96mm of suspension movement, putting it firmly in the short travel race/trail category.

Highs
  • Suspension offers both comfort and efficiency

  • Shimano groupset performs flawlessly

Lows
  • Unresponsive wheels

  • Old school stem length

Read Review

BikeRadar
Merida Ninety-Six 9.XT review

Apr 2017 · Guy Kesteven

Stiff, well controlled, sprint-friendly speedster with retro race handling. Buy if you want a pure race-bike and a choice of wheel sizing

Highs
  • Light and stiff frame with sorted remote control suspension

  • Wide range 2x11 gearing

  • 29er and 650b versions

Lows
  • Steep and twitchy steering

  • Single bottle cage mount

Read Review

Flow Mountain Bike
Tested: Merida Ninety-Six XT

Aug 2016

Our Ninety-Six XT test bike is the middle of three models in the range, the base Ninety-Six 800 version with an all aluminium frame is $3099 and the top-level Ninety-Six Team with a full carbon frame and ultra premium spec is $9999. The full range can be found here: Merida Ninety-Six range. For more on …

Highs
  • Sleek new frame.

  • Comfortable Geometry.

  • Versatile cross country bike.

  • Efficient climber.

Lows
  • Hard compound and non-tubeless tyres.

  • Narrow rims.

  • Double chainring.

Read Review

Geometry
Specs
Build
Frame

NINETY-SIX LITE

Fork

Fox 32 Float Performance 100mm travel air fork with tapered steerer, 15mm bolt through axle and 2 stage remote lockout

Travel100mm

Spring TypeAir

Shock

Fox Performance Float Elite Remote

Headset

FSA NO.55E

Handlebar

MERIDA Expert CC 720mm wide flat

Saddle

Prologo Scratch

Seatpost

MERIDA Comp in line 30.9mm

TypeRigid

Pedals

Not included

Groupset
Rear Derailleur

SRAM GX Eagle

Crank

SRAM Stylo 6K Eagle 32 teeth

Shifters

SRAM GX Eagle 12 speed trigger with I-Spec II adapter

Cassette

SRAM XG 1275 Eagle, 12 speed, 10-50 teeth

Chain

SRAM GX Eagle

Brakes

Shimano SLX hydraulic disc, 180 / 160mm rotor

TypeShimano SLX Hydraulic Disc

Brake Levers

Shimano SLX

Wheels
Rims

MERIDA Expert CC, 22.5mm inner width, tubeless ready

Spokes

Double Butted Black stainless

Front Hub

Sealed bearing, Boost standard, 15mm front and 12mm rear bolt through axles, centerlock

Rear Hub

Sealed bearing, Boost standard, 15mm front and 12mm rear bolt through axles, centerlock

Tires

Continental X-King 2.2" folding

Rider Notes
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First added October 11

Last updated October 11

Not listed for 2,787 days